Scale question

I was trying out my Lee powder scale that came with my Turret Press kit, and decided it's a bit of a pain to use, and I want to get a different one. Looking at Midway, I saw they have a frankford arsenal digital scale on sale now (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=713372&t=1108200). Do you guys have any experience with it, and if so, would you recommend it?

As an alternative, I was looking at getting the Dillon Eliminator (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0032559215904a&navCount=1&podId=0032559&parentId=cat20853&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat602007-cat20728-cat20853&catalogCode=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20853&hasJS=true). It seems a bit more user-friendly than the Lee.

Which should I get?

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magnum loader

January 6, 2008, 10:41 PM

RCBS 1010, analog type but very accurate & easy to set up & use.

Galil5.56

January 6, 2008, 10:53 PM

Between the two, I would swing for the Ohaus made "Dillon", and save up for a better digital. My ancient Ohaus made RCBS 505 has served me well for decades, and when I went to digital, I got a Dillon D-Terminator 1500. This digital scale is going on 15 years old, is very accurate, and reliable. Never have regretted buying either, and like having them both around to use.

Of the four, my favorite is 502. I would put the Frankford Arsenal scale at number three on the list (the Lee is number four). Frankford is overly sensitive and does not maintain its zero. Given the choices you stated. I would either go with the eliminator. However, also look at the RCBS 502. I have found I can measure out charges as quickly (if not more) than I could with the PACT digital scale. I attribute this to the magnetic damping the RCBS scale has.

zxcvbob

January 7, 2008, 10:38 PM

I bought an old cast iron Herter's oil-damped scales on eBay. Works great, and more importantly it has character. ;)

evan price

January 7, 2008, 10:45 PM

What sort of trouble are you having with the Lee? They are dead nuts simple and reliable.

stovepipe699

January 8, 2008, 12:26 AM

I believe the RCBS Rangemaster 750 goes for $99 at midway. I have one and I like it. They have reveiws for the products, and the rcbs scales have great reviews. The frankford arsenal(which I was going to buy) had a lot of poor reviews.

JonB

January 8, 2008, 10:43 AM

I use the Frankford arsenal scale the link points to. I weigh each and every charge for 9mm, 10mm, and .223 (so far) with it. I make sure to calibrate it each time before starting. The only thing I have noticed is that it needs to 'warm up' as it tends to wander a bit when first turned on. So I calibrate it, then leave the check weight on it, get powders and other stuff ready, then calibrate again and make sure it holds the 20gram reading. Then good to go.

I paid like 29 or 35 bucks for it and it does the job w/o spending a lot.

HJ857

January 8, 2008, 11:12 AM

The Frankford digital scale is actually a very decent scale. It's a hugely faster and easier to use than the Lee, or any beam scale. It's always measured dead even with my Lee scale.

There is one big concern with that scale though, it is VERY sensitive to battery depletion. Once the batteries start to lose power, the scale drifts significantly. A set of batteries will give you around 9 hours of time, which is pretty poor I think.

There is no AC power option, so over a fairly short time, the battery cost will negate the low initial cost of the unit. But for a short term fix, it's a great option.

The batteries that come with the scale are crap, do not use them. Throw them out and use good Duracells or Energizers and you'll get good results.

dtech99

January 8, 2008, 07:23 PM

I purchased one of the Fankford Arsenal scales you referenced a couple of months ago. I am very dissapointed with the drifting zero. It is near impossible to get a repeatable measure within a few tenths of a grain when measured with in a couple of minutes apart from each other. It is OK when making large adjustment of several grains to get you in the ball park. I always confirm the reading with the mechanical ballance scale when I am with in a couple of tenths.

Deavis

January 8, 2008, 07:41 PM

It is OK when making large adjustment of several grains to get you in the ball park. I always confirm the reading with the mechanical ballance scale when I am with in a couple of tenths.

You are wasting your time then. Why would you use a known bad scale? Throw it out or send it in to be serviced. don't double your work for no reason! You wouldn't mow your grass with a bad lawnmower and then come back with a good one would you?

Bronson7

January 9, 2008, 05:48 PM

I have the Dillon you mention and am very pleased with it. I've never used the FA digital but have read a lot of bad reviews on it.
Bronson7

1911NM

January 9, 2008, 06:08 PM

I have the Dillon you linked to, and am very happy with it. Stable scale, zero's and settles quickly, and just in my experience, was checking a round while reloading last weekend, and came up light a little (by the scale), checked in the case, tapped out 3, count'em, 3 physical grains of w231 into the scale pan, and the scale settled right into balance....that's good in my book. :D

CZ57

January 9, 2008, 08:43 PM

Crow, I just ordered the LEE Anniversary kit with the new breech lock bushing system for my B-I-L who is taking up reloading at 65. I'm gonna agree with you. The press is great, but the powder measure and the scale are less than satisfactory. I have several balance beam scales, but the one I use most may be a good alternative for you. The RCBS 130. In reloading, the thing you weigh most is powder. The 130 is a great scale, IMO. It is a triple poise, dampened and very accurate. If I want to weigh bullets or anything heavier than 130 grains, I use a different scale. The RC 130 runs $45 at Midway.;)

The Franklin Arsenal sounds like a great deal, and it is currently on sale at Midway for $29.99. But I'm not sure if I could own a digital without a balance beam to counter-weigh. Am I missing it, or does the FA Digital not have a check weight?

tasco 74

January 10, 2008, 01:46 AM

i agree with evan price on the lee scale... i really like mine.... some of the bigger scales seem clunky and inaccurate to me but the lee is simple to use but alittle hard to read the 10ths of grains on.... but i can deal with it....

HJ857

January 10, 2008, 10:25 AM

The FA digital does come with a check weight. I think that Midway has these scales on permanent "sale" for 30 bucks, I've never seen it for any other price.

But please note the battery issue, this scale becomes a far more expensive item due to battery usage. In the long run, you are far better off with a scale with an AC option.

redneck2

January 10, 2008, 10:37 AM

I've used a PACT with the 110v adapter for years now. Couldn't be more pleased. Fast, easy, repeatable, and holds calibration for weeks. YMMV.

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